Since the influenza virus changes year by year means that the previous year’s vaccination is likely to no longer provide protection. Indeed, while the vaccine’s overall efficacy is far less than ideal, it nonetheless reduces the severity of the disease and prevents thousands of unnecessary hospital visits, more serious cases of the flu, and undoubtedly numerous deaths. It is of particular importance for those at risk for flu-related complications, such as children younger than five, adults over the age of 65, and pregnant women, as well as those with chronic illnesses.

For those planning a trip, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting vaccinated two weeks prior to departure in order to allow immunity to develop.

If you do find yourself with the flu, whatever you do, do not travel. Doctors recommend you stay home until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever without taking fever-reducing medicine such as aspirin or Tylenol.

Finally, if you are still of the opinion that this is all hype, keep in mind that the biggest pandemic in history was the Spanish flu of 1918, which infected one-third of the world’s population and killed over 50 million people.

The remote city of San Miguel de Allende, 170 miles (274 kilometers) northwest of Mexico City, was founded in 1542 by San Miguel El Grande, a San Franciscan monk. The city was a focal point of the Mexican war for independence from Spain. It was renamed after Ignacio Allende, a hero of the independence movement. Today, the region is home to more than 72,000 residents including a large U.S. and …

Six U.S. airlines said they are working to introduce additional gender options for travelers who do not identify exclusively as male or female.
The change will add options for “unspecified” and “undisclosed” and will keep airlines in compliance with U.S. and foreign government requirements that allow passenger data to match the identification carried by travelers to airport security checkpoints and immigration controls.
The move follows the adoption of new standards for travelers …